Today I Feel Embarrassed To Be A Blogger

The sh*t has definitely hit the fan this week in blogland.

Did you hear?

ALL BLOGGERS have been banned from a particular hotel in Dublin.

ALL. BLOGGERS.

I’ve decided not to leave any links, but you clever lot know that if you type ‘bloggers banned from Dublin hotel’ into the marvel that is google, you will find the full story if you care to. But be warned, it’s a complete vortex that will suck you in and spit you back out again, perhaps a little changed.

From everything I have seen and watched on this incident, one thing has stuck like tar. A final raging sentence from the hotel.

“If any of you attempt to enter our premises from now on, you will be ejected.” (Taken from Hotel’s statement on their own Facebook page).

Any of YOU?

What The Blazers Is Going On?

Well, your guess is as good as mine. From what I can gather, a lovely, super-successful YouTuber put forward a business proposal to this particular hotel and it then shamed her for doing so and broadcasted the confidential proposal to the world. Is that a breach? I don’t know, but blimey. Of course it could never stop there could it? There’s been a humongous backlash from all parties jumping in and voicing varying levels of disgust and outrage. The whole thing, which should never have been a thing to begin with, has totally blown up into an epic showdown.

My first (empathetic) thoughts are of course towards the innocent 20-something year old YouTuber. Whom, in my opinion was just getting her hustle on with a hotel she clearly thought her viewers were going to love. *That’s not a crime is it?!

I have also sat here thinking about the hotels statement of barring all bloggers. Which obviously includes me. The person who happens to have tons of family in Dublin and the surrounding areas. I mean, the hotel might even know some of them!! It’s just too weird to think about. So I should stop.

Then finally, I can’t get the zillions of cruel comments against bloggers out of my mind that have been whirling around quicker than you can even read them.

Today I feel embarrassed to be a blogger

Reading how quickly so many people are turning on bloggers has left me quite shocked. I don’t understand it. Is it because bloggers are worthless? Because what bloggers write is a load of cr*p? Are the vloggers rubbish at filming? What is it?? What makes bloggers one big pathetic joke to the world at the moment???

From where I’m sitting, all I see is a huge wealth of talent.

Writers, photographers, film makers, directors, documenters, designers. Creators. They are all there. Blogging. Taking the world by storm.

Evolving the face of advertising. Changing advertising to be something for the people, by the people. Standing up and not being afraid to speak out. They are the brave and the courageous. The ones who challenge and push boundaries.

37 Comments

I’m with you there, I read the Facebook post with intrigue and horror in a “is that what regular people think of what I do?!” kind of way. I think there will always be a bit of animosity towards bloggers from the journalism field. However in TV, most people understand what vloggers do and how that is far from what a camera person does on a TV show. I think that’s just it though – most of the people commenting in the thread were firstly those who do not understand the power of social media and what it means to be in the OP’s social position. Also I do think as the partner to an Irishman that they are very blunt and some of the comments seemed very Irish to me, and more offensive on paper than if said aloud 😉

You have put into words how I feel. And yet I’m so incredibly proud to be a part of this wonderful community. If a sales person pitched to a business, nothing would be thought of it. But it’s because it’s deemed that we get things for “free”. No work involved. Of course as know otherwise, but still… xxx

I’m shocked and just so sad that this is the world we live in today and my heart goes out to the blogger at the centre of all this. Heaven forbid we approach brands to see if they would like to work with us for promotion – through what is for many bloggers, a hard earned and successful business? I feel every word of this. It’s all just so sad. xx

Who is this hotel??? Wtf! All the bloggers I have meant have been the nicest people in the world. We all have an opinion and just expressing it. Not be nasty or mean but we just write what we think, good, bad or ugly. Aside from that bloggers are some of the most creative people I have ever seen #lovebloggers

I am in the US and have not heard about any of this. I follow you and you have inspired me to really dig in and blog. I have only been at this a few months but I feel proud of my story. My niche is foster care. Others have their own. We can not let one hotel take the joy out of us. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Hold your head high!

Wonderfully written. I have been on the receiving end of some pretty vile comments for having the audacity to defend blogging. It’s quite hurtful tbh, so I can only imagine how the young blogger feels.

Unfortunately this is the world we live in. People mock what they don’t understand. It doesn’t mean they’re right. Or that it’s OK. It scares me that my blogging (which is only a hobby) could open me to vile comments in the future too. And I’m not sure I’d handle it as well as the blogger in question. But I don’t want to let that put me off. #dreamteam

It has certainly been an interesting week. And reading the comments, I can’t help but think “Is this what non-bloggers really think of me and the work that I do??” – It’s horrible. It has put me off pitching to companies a bit if that’s what they think. But, as my husband pointed out, there are plenty of companies who pitch to us bloggers without wanting to pay us, sometimes without giving anything in return at all. At least this blogger was offering advertising in return. It’s a funny old world… #dreamteam

This whole story is such a bizarre thing – I’ve read it with interest and horror! I can’t believe one email has caused such a stir, and led to the backlash it has. It is going to take such a long time though for those who don’t blog to realise that we aren’t in it for the “free” stuff, because it’s not really free! I think the vlogger in question has handled the whole situation really well though, and no blogger in their right mind would even want to go and stay at this hotel, so therefore their “ban” doesn’t really mean much! #dreamteam

This really is a complex matter — if you take the trouble to read the full story it you will realise there was right and wrong on BOTH sides. Now the buy running this hotel is big into social media himself and trades on the principle that ALL publicity is ultimately good for business, but he did bring up something important: this idea that an influencer should expect free board and food right up for mentioning the hotel and putting up cool photos of it on social media. Now, for me, this raises issues: asking for payment directly for mentioning the hotel would make me doubt the honesty of the blogger giving this place a positive rating. They are only doing so because they got it free. How can they comment honestly? They will say they can, but I say no, they are compromised. Two, as the hotel owner pointed out in his shaming post, how are his staff supposed to be paid for their work if the influencer gets it all free. It’s like all that music kids download for free: how does the musician get paid for his work? You have to pay for things, kids! You won’t work for free, will you? There really is no such thing as a free lunch — or free hotel!!

I heard about this, but I must admit, I didn’t read too much about it. I read a few tweets because I wanted to know what was going on but I buried my head in the sand. It is disrespectful to talk about bloggers in this way, but unfortunately, I think we will always have the problem that people think that we are out to get something for nothing. Which clearly is not what it is at all. I understand why you would feel this way though. It’s a shame because what we do should be celebrated. #dreamteam

I did hear about this quickly on the radio- didn’t realise it had blown up so much! So much about social media gets blown out of all proportion these days. As with all things the fuss will pass, no need to feel embarrassed about blogging! #DreamTeam

It’s such a crazy world. The speed that things blow up is mad. Hopefully they blow over just as quick. I think I’ll just keep on blogging just for fun for now. I’m not up for all that crap. I totally take my hat off to those who can make it work as a living. #dreamteam

Oh I saw this too! Elle was in a school I worked at years ago and she is a really lovely girl and I felt sorry for her tbh as this went so public,. That was unnecessary. She has received threats to her life which is just terrible. Good luck to all bloggers I say. #dreamteam

Other than the obvious publicity he gets from this stunt, I can’t get where when person gets off on talking to another human being in such a rude manner on a public stage. It’s just such a shame and unnecessary. A “thanks but no thanks” would have sufficed. It does come across as bullying on a major stage. His latest stunt was to bill her a ridiculous amount of money for something or other (I can’t find that article now).

I have been reading the comments as well on some of the newspaper articles and it is quite clear that the general public do not have any idea of the new channels of Marketing in this day and age. I am sure it will make a few bloggers very wary over the next few weeks and months reaching out to other businesses #DreamTeam

I read about this and was so shocked. I genuinely don’t understand how the hotel could act so viciously toward a blogger who was nothing but polite. A simple email saying ‘no thanks’ would have done. I bet she reaches and influences more readers than some magazines. It’s really daunting that this is how some people view bloggers and I must admit I’ve avoided reading some of the comments as I just know it’s going to be bad but I have seen a few. It lacks total understanding of what PR, marketing and social media is and how important it is in reaching out and communicating with your audience. It’s still seen as a fluffy, nonsensical past time rather than an important and valuable marketing tool for businesses to work with. #DreamTeam

I cannot believe the way he kicked off in response – especially the way he’s sent her an invoice for ridiculous amounts of Euro’s. People are kicking off that he did not disclose who it was, but he did as you can brighten the post and it comes up with her name.
Yes five nights might have been excessive. She could have asked for one night comp, or at least free dinners or an upgrade etc, but his reaction – an account known for ripping into his potential guests is disgusting. he says he is a fellow blogger – clearly he doesnt blog as a living as he’d know his naming and shaming has potentially caused so much damage to her future work. #dreamteam

I haven’t read about this as yet. Not sure I want to either. I write for my kids. Blogging is a hobby for me. If people don’t like what I write, then that’s fine. But sweeping statements about a whole group are nothing more than puerile, and should be treated as such.
#DreamTeam

Yes, this was a real downer and a huge shock to the blogging community. Bloggers are the new-age media, so to speak, and brands and PRs are recognising this. Blogging is the future of the world wide web and in a big way, of the advertising world, so in the long run it’s the hotel that will be at a loss! Here’s a thumbs up to all us bloggers (who know how much hard work and effort goes into one post, regardless of whether it is sponsored or not!)
#DreamTeam

Very well written, thank you!
Like you, I see the talent. So much talent… And a society which can’t really offer suitable work, so people find other ways. The job market is changing, as is advertising, technology, family life… People should not be shamed for using there talents to find a way forward in life (unless they intentionally hurt others to better themselves). Keep blogging, no shame in it! x
#DreamTeam

Shocking but not shocking. Because although its so awful, it doesn’t surprise that people just jump right in to criticize with no knowledge whatsoever, while they sit behind their screen. It’s very easy to judge, and more difficult to take the high road. I feel for that blogger, and it’s time bloggers fight back. #dreamteam

I heard about this and I personally think it has been blown out of proportion. Yes there will be some hotel, PR companies that will not work with bloggers – that is their policy and I respect that. But to shame all bloggers and vloggers – that is ridiculous. My opinions, my research and the time I put in to create the content for my blog is flippen hard work. I will never be embarrassed to say that I am a blogger, on the contrary I’m really proud of my effort thus far and to be part of the worldwide community called Blogger and Vloggers. So here is to all those out there – continue to do what you love and stay true to yourself and what you project out into your bog or vlog.#Dreamteam

Just popping back because someone added this post to the #blogcrush linky (congratulations!). I keep seeing so many horrible comments on this story about “getting a real job” or “a feeling of entitlement”. I don’t think people have any idea how much work goes into running a blog, but it really upsets me that people think this about our profession…

It seems that blogging is looked at very differently over here in the states. While we aren’t really taken seriously by the average Joe who knows nothing about blogging or vlogging, we aren’t put down for it either. The amount of insults my UK counterparts get for blogging is so absurd to me. I am sorry you feel this way but I hope that this doesn’t affect you going forward and that we bloggers stick together on this. What that hotel did though is very unprofessional and here in the states the vlogger would have been able to sue on grounds of betraying the confidential business conducted. That was a clear violation of privacy. No decent business would ever do that. Why would anyone in any profession even do such a thing to someone? It makes no sense to me and this hotel should be shunned for their unethical business practices. #dreamteam

People can be really vicious when they are anonymous behind a screen, this look at what they think about bloggers was eye-opening. Funnily enough, I bet their purchases and online browsing history would reflect many things that were directly promoted by a “useless, freeloading” blogger. #DreamTeam

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Hello and welcome to the 3 Little Buttons blog. My name is Annette, I am mum to Little Button and wife to Daddy Button. Join us on our adventures, mishaps and everything in-between. Stick your feet up and enjoy x